AAC codec
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is a lossy audio codec best known as the default Bluetooth codec on Apple devices. Quality is very good at 256 kbps, but not hi-res like LDAC.
AAC is a lossy compression codec developed by MPEG. It replaced MP3 as the de facto standard for streaming and Bluetooth on Apple devices. Apple Music streams in AAC 256 kbps, and every iPhone uses AAC for Bluetooth audio output.
Bluetooth quality
AAC over Bluetooth on iOS is very good – transparent to most listeners on typical headphones. Android AAC implementations vary in quality (older phones had underpowered encoders). For maximum wireless quality on Android, LDAC or aptX-HD beat AAC.
Where it matters
iPhone owners: AAC is your ceiling for Bluetooth. Get headphones with strong AAC implementation (Soundcore Space One Pro, most Sony / Apple / Bose).
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